Older workers in Yorkshire explain why they still clock in

Annie Cochrane, 89, is a catering worker at Leeds United's ground

The number of people working beyond the age of 65 has doubled since the year 2000, according to the Centre for Ageing Better.

The charity says that one in 11 pensioners still works to earn wages, whether this is due to need or a desire to remain in employment.

Reasons such as living in a challenging economy, still having good health or the love for a particular job could explain the increase.

However, the BBC has spoken to three older workers from Leeds and Bradford to find out why they continue to clock in.

'Keeps me healthy'

Annie Cochrane's boss Rob Smyth praised her work ethic

At Leeds United's ground, 89-year-old Annie Cochrane has been working in the catering department for 23 years.

Her love of the club came from her late husband, who died in his 60s, and never saw her work at Elland Road.

"He would think it was fabulous," she laughs.

"You meet some of the players. The one who comes to mind quickly is Peter Lorimer, who passed away during Covid time.

"He was a lovely man."

Mrs Cochrane, who has a zero-hour contract, works about twice a week at events and on match days.

"The main thing is you get a lot of walking, when you are laying up for matches and you are laying out tables, you are walking all the time.

"And if it's pouring with rain all the time, you are still getting the exercise for walking up and down, so that's what keeps me healthy."

Her boss, Rob Smyth, said: "It's great to have a slightly older generation that has worked through the silver service and the times when catering was slightly different."

He praised Annie's work ethic and said it was important to keep your mind stimulated, no matter your age.

'Lovely people'

Alan returned to tailoring after he retired

Alan Thornton, 80, returned to the tailoring industry after being brought out of retirement by Bradford businessman Imran Khan.

When Mr Khan struggled to find young people with tailoring skills he got in touch with Mr Thornton.

"Mr Khan said 'would you like to come for half a day?' which I did," he explained.

"I thought perhaps for a few weeks, but two and a half years later I'm still here," he said.

"They are a lovely set of people here, so what's not to like?"

Mr Thornton generally works two days a week in the shop he used to manage, travelling to work by bus.

Owner of the boutique, Imran Khan, says his older workers are "just fantastic"

"I really never thought I would be back in this building all these years later," Mr Thornton said.

Owner of the boutique, Mr Khan, says he has four staff in their seventies and eighties.

"I look after them and when you look after them, this is what you get and I think they are just fantastic," he said.

"I have noticed that it's the ones who are over 70 who want to come and work."

'Are you still working?'

Peggy Wee Fallon said continuing to work helps fund her travels around the world

Peggy Wee Fallon, 81, works full time as a healthcare assistant at St Luke's Hospital in Bradford.

She gets up at 03:00 and arrives at the hospital by 06:00, before officially clocking in at 08:00.

"I enjoy working here it's great," she said.

"What else would I do if I retired, stay at home?"

Ms Fallon has worked on the children's outpatient ward for so long, she is caring for the children of parents she used to look after.

"Every day I have at least one patient who comes through and asks me 'are you still working?'"

The healthcare assistant intends to carry on working until age or illness makes that impossible, but the love for her job is not her only motivation.

"I go on long haul [trips] every year. If I don't work, I won't be able to go on these holidays," she said.

Her boss Dr Matthew Mathai said she was "part of the furniture" and he could not imagine paediatrics without her.

"She's very funny, very generous, and very kind," he said.

"The patients and the families love her here."